Drying frame and stretcher.



PATENTED APR 9,-1907. 0. J. KATZ. I

DRYING PRAME'AND STRETGHER. v

nrmcumx FILED NOV. 28, 1905.

{ I I 1 I 1 l witness THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WAsHlNuToN, a. c.

OSCAR J. KATZ, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

DRYING FRAME AND STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 9, 1907.

Application filed November 28, 1905. Serial No. 289,513.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR J. KA-TZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drying Frames and Stretchers, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to stretchers or frames for drying shirts andlike garments.

The object of the invention is to produce a frame having the approximate form of a shirt, which frame can be folded to compact form or extended so as to hold a shirt stretched out while drying and which frame or form is readily applicable to a wet garment; and the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations of mechanical elements, substantially as hereinafter stated.

Figure 1 is a partly-broken plan of the stretcher, showing the arms extended in full lines and these arms in position to receive a wet shirt, in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a plan of the stretcher folded to its smallest compass. Fig. 3 is an edge view, and Fig. 4 a reverse view, of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a section through one of the frame-bars and arms, showing means for holding the arms in adjusted position. Fig. 6 is a section through one of the pivots.

It is desirable that stretchers of this character shall be as compact as possible for storage and shipment. I therefore make the frame A for the body of the garment in the form of a rectangle, or approximately so, open at the central part. The bars of the frame are preferably of wood and as light as is compatible with strength. The framebars are jointed so that the frame folds at its mid-length. Hinges B are applied to one side of the jointed frame-bars, and hooks O are applied at the other side, said hooks being in position to engage studs or pins D to hold the joint rigid or to swing back and permit the folding of the frame on the hinges, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

The hooks, hinges, and other metal work of the stretcher should be of material which will not corrode or stain the goods.

At the upper corners of the frame A the arms F F are pivoted to the frame by pivots G, which ass through the arms and frame. The arms are supposed to approximate the form of a shirtsleeve, and the central portion of these arms is cut away to permit air to circulate, as well as to lengthen the stretcher. The side of the arm F remote from pivot G has a projecting stud H, preferably in form of a cone, such as a conical-headed rivet or tack. When the arms are swung down into the position of Fig. 2, these studs or cones H enter conical recesses I in the frame, and so hold the arms in folded position. When the arms are in extended position, (full lines, Fig. 1,) these studs or pins H enter recesses K in the frame-bars, one of which recesses is shown in Fig. 1.

The arms are sufficiently flexible to permit the swinging of the arms on their pivots and the withdrawal of studs H from the recesses I by the exertion of a moderate force, but will hold the arms in their adjusted position unless such force be exerted.

To apply a wet shirt to the stretcher, the arms F are extended into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, the shirt-sleeves are slipped over the arms, and the arms are swung out to the position shown in full lines. At the same time the shirt-body is drawn over the extended frame. To readily remove the shirt, a reverse movement ismade.

When the arms are folded down and the frame folded, the whole device is very conpact, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a flat frame approximating the form of a shirt-body and provided with sockets, flat one-piece arms and studs carried by the arms which spring into position in the sockets when the arms are extended, and serve to retain the arms in extended position.

2. The combination of a flat foldable frame having sockets, means for retaining the frame rigid in open position in approximate form of a shirt-body, fiat bifurcated arms formed in one piece pivoted near the corners of the frame, and studs carried by the arms which may be sprung into the sockets when the arms are extended and serve to retain the arms in adjusted osition.

In testimony whereof I a my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR J. KATZ. 

